Kindergarten STEM Activities

What does STEM look like for kindergarten age kids? Well, it’s simply a lot of exploring, testing, observing, making connections, and, most importantly… doing! STEM for kindergarten is about taking simple science experiments and engineering projects and exploring them further so that kids draw conclusions and relate that to the world around them. These kindergarten STEM activities are time and budget friendly and engaging!

What Are Kindergarten STEM Activities?

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM for kindergarten is an introduction to the beautiful world around them. Kids of this age understand more, beginning with literacy and numeracy and exploring why things do what they do.

Kids often have questions and think a bit more outside the box. They want to test their ideas, plan new ideas, and determine why they worked or didn’t. That is the process of STEM learning!

STEM is necessary for kindergarten because STEM is everywhere! Just look around. From the buildings you see in town, the bridges that connect places, the computers we use, the software programs that go with them, and the air we breathe, STEM is what makes it all possible! We need kids to know STEM, to feel comfortable with STEM, and to practice STEM every day.

STEM sounds expensive, but it isn’t. Check out how to set up easy STEM project ideas with a small budget at home or in the classroom below. STEM should be accessible to everyone!

Kids are naturally curious, and once you have piqued their curiosity, you have also turned on their observation, critical thinking, and experimenting skills. They naturally want to know more, go one step further, and explore something new.

Our kindergarten STEM activities do just that! They offer room for play and exploration without tons of adult-led directions. Kids will naturally start to pick up on the simple science concepts presented just by having a fun conversation with you!

What is a STEM activity in kindergarten?
How do you introduce STEM to kindergarten?
What are some good STEM projects?
What do kids learn in STEM class?

New! Printable STEM Alphabet Coloring Pages

Create a STEM atmosphere for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and beyond with our printable STEM alphabet coloring pages and posters! Includes full-size pages in both color and black and white.

The Best STEM Activities For Kindergarten

Science

Simple science activities and experiments are some of our very first explorations! We have so many favorites to share.

5 Senses Activities

Discover how to set up a simple 5 senses discovery table for early childhood learning and play that uses all 5 senses. These 5 senses activities are delightful for introducing young kids to the simple practice of observing the world around them.

Balloon Experiment

Combine a fizzing baking soda and vinegar reaction with balloon play with this easy-to-set-up balloon science experiment for kids. Find out how to blow up a balloon with just baking soda and vinegar.

Bubble Experiments

What is it about blowing bubbles? Mix up your own inexpensive bubble solution recipe and get blowing with one of these fun bubbles science experiments

Dancing Corn

Can you make corn dance? I bet you can with this amazing science activity.

Fluffy Slime

Kids love fluffy slime because it’s SO fun to squish and stretch but also light and airy as a cloud! Learn how to make fluffy slime with saline solution so quickly you won’t believe it! And it introduces kids to polymers and chemistry!

Oil and Water Experiment

Simple science experiments at home or in the classroom are so easy to set up and perfect for young kids to play and learn with science. Explore what happens when mixing oil, water, and food coloring, and learn about liquid density.

Oobleck

Oobleck is a classic science experiment that demonstrates a non-Newtonian fluid perfectly! Is it a liquid or a solid? Use our oobleck recipe to decide for yourself and learn more about the science behind this goopy substance!

Seed Germination Experiment

Watching seeds grow is a fantastic science project for kids. Our seed germination experiment allows kids to see up close to how a seed grows and what would be happening under the ground!

Sink or Float Experiment

Seasons

Explore the unique characteristics of each season, the weather changes, the types of clothes we wear, and the fun activities we can enjoy throughout the year! Grab the printable four seasons worksheet pack and check out these seasons activities.

Solid Liquid Gas Experiment

Can you believe this is a very simple water science experiment you can do in little time if necessary? I set up this solid, liquid, and gas experiment with very few supplies! An easy way to introduce young kids to states of matter.

What Absorbs Water

This fun experiment will teach you about absorption as you investigate what materials absorb water.

Technology

Algorithm Games

Our free printable algorithm game pack is a great way to introduce some basic coding skills. Coding activities are super cool for kids. These fun games let kiddos learn about it at a younger age!

LEGO Coding

Here are some fun ways to code with LEGO and without a computer.

Engineering

STEM is inspired by the world around us. Have you ever noticed the unique buildings, bridges, and structures that make up our communities? There are so many unique ways to build structures with STEM.

Make sure to check out our list of the best building toys for kindergarten.

Cup Tower Challenge

How tall can you build your tower using 100 cups?

Egg Drop Project

Try the egg drop challenge for a fantastic STEM project for young and older kids! Your imagination is the limit with this cleverly styled egg drop as you investigate what makes for the best shock absorber for dropping an egg.

LEGO Zip Line

This cool LEGO Zip Line Challenge is a great STEM activity for kids to have fun with and learn something from.

Leprechaun Trap

It’s a tradition now to build a St Patrick’s Day leprechaun trap; these ideas are the perfect place to start! Find out how to design and build a leprechaun trap.

Marble Run

It is so fun to build a LEGO marble run, and it is a perfect example of a STEM activity using basic bricks. Combine design and engineering for a STEM idea that will provide hours of fun and laughs!

Popsicle Stick Catapult

Want to learn how to make a simple catapult with popsicle sticks? This Popsicle stick catapult design is an AWESOME STEM activity kids will love.

Math

Apple Fractions

Edible apple fractions! Tasty math activity that explores fractions with young kids. Pair with our free apple fractions printable for awesome early learning. Or try Pumpkin Pie Fractions Playdough Mats.

Candy Math

Enjoy candy Math Games that might involve some taste testing and sampling as you go along.

Geometric Shapes

Put away the worksheets and play with math instead! Our simple geometric shapes activity for kids is easy to do at home or as a math center in school.

LEGO Math Challenges

LEGO and math go together perfectly, and these easy-to-print and free LEGO Math challenge cards are a natural way to explore math! Kids love to build and play with LEGO! Basic bricks are excellent for kindergarten STEM. Also, try this LEGO tower game!

Measurement Scavenger Hunt

You can complete this measurement-themed math scavenger hunt using standard or non-standard measurements.

Snap Cubes

Work on one-to-one correspondence, number recognition, and writing numbers with snap cubes and our free printable snap cube number mats.

What is Length | What Weighs More?

Super easy and fun hands-on math activity that discusses excellent math terms such as what is length, longer and shorter and comparing weight such as heavier and lighter!

Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources to help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

Free Printable STEM Activities Pack

STEM Activities By Theme

Looking for fun STEM projects for kindergarten to fit in with a theme or holiday? Our STEM activities can be easily changed using different materials and colors to fit a season or holiday.

Check out our STEM projects for all the major holidays/ seasons below.

STEM Activities By Topic

There are many areas to explore in science and STEM, between chemistry, physics, earth science, and biology.

Printable Engineering Projects Pack

Get started with STEM and engineering projects today with this fantastic resource that includes all the information you need to complete more than 50 activities that encourage STEM skills!